Carcass treatment



y 6, 1939. 1.. CADWELL CARCASS TREATMENT Filed Oct. 11, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jean L. C'adwell attest attorney y 1939- I L. L. CADWELL 2,158,106

CARCASS TREATMENT Filed Oct. 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ummi tor 12022 L. CadwelZ Patented May 16, 1939 UNiTED STATES PATENT GFFEE CARGASS TREATMENT Leon L. Cadwell, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Industrial Patents Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application October 11, 1937, Serial No. 168,487

4 Claims. (01. 17-44) This invention relates to the treatment of meat Fig'ure 4 is a plan view of the device shown in carcasses. Figure 3.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No, 115,051, filed December 9, 1936, entitled Calf carcass treatment.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved method of treating animal carcasses.

Another object of the invention resides in the treatment of animal carcasses to provide improved forequarter cuts thereof.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims which follow.

One form of means which may be employed for carrying out the method of the present invention is described and claimed in my copending application; Serial No. 168,488, filed October 11, 1937, entitled Carcass treatment means.

The present invention is directed to the treatment of animal carcasses in which the foreshanks, forequarters and neck of a freshly killed carcass are secured in relative predetermined position. In accordance with the invention a substantially T-shaped, three-point hook member is inserted between the spinal cord cavity and the foreshanks of the carcass, preferably while the carcass is still warm, and is left remaining in position until rigor mortis or chilling of the carcass has been completed.

The muscular formation and bone positions of the forequarter cuts of carcasses, treated in accordance with the method of the present invention, are greatly improved, thus providing cuts more pleasing in appearance and capable of commanding the better price in the retail market.

The method of the present invention is also of particular importance in the skinning and bag g of whole animal carcasses for shipment to remote points, in that the neck and foreshanks are suitably aligned relative to the body and brisket of the carcass, thus permitting use of a smaller size bag and also facilitating its application.

Attention is directed to the drawings in which there is depicted means which may be employed for carrying out the method of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a side view of a carcass treated in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the carcass shown in Figure 1. V

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the device which may be employed in the method of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a front view of the device shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a side View Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a perspective View, showing another form of the device which may be employed in the method of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an end view in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view of the pointed members E8 of the device shown in Figure 7.

Figures 11 and 12 are side views of carcasses treated in accordance with the method of the present invention in which there is employed the device shown in Figure '7.

In carrying out the method of the present invention, freshly killed carcass I, while still in a Warm condition, may be suitably suspended from suspension means 2 for the application of hook member 8 between the neck and foreshanks 5.

In the embodiment of the invention exemplified in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, hook member 3, of substantially T-shaped configuration, comprises central member 6 rigidly secured at one of its ends 5 to cross member 8. The ends of cross memher 3 are bent upwardly substantially at right angle, as at 9, thus providing prongs it. The free ends of prongs Hi are pointed, as at H, and are bent inwardly, as at E2. The opposite end of central member ii may be broadly curved upwardly and inwardly, as at It thus providing prong M. The free end of prong M is pointed, as at l5, and bent inwardly toward prongs it, as at it.

In applying hook member 3, prong it, as shown in Figure 1, is inserted upwardly through the spinal cord cavity of the carcass and secured as by pointed end 55. The neck and foreshanks of the carcass are then retracted relative to each other by an operator and each of the prongs l0 secured within its respective foreshank, Prongs I 0 are preferably secured by pointed ends I l in the hollows made by the bone knuckles and main leg tendons.

In the embodiment of the invention exemplified in Figures 7 to 10, inclusive, there is disclosed a modified form of hook member 3 which is adapted for use over a considerably wide range of carcass sizes. In this embodiment it will be seen that the free ends of cross member 8 are bent inwardly substantially at right angle, as at 9, thus of the device shown in of the device shown providing prongs I! each extending in a line substantially parallel with central member 6. The free end of each of the prongs I1 is flattened as at E8, to a chisel-like edge and serve to secure the foreshanks in relative position. The form of chisel-like edge I8 is more specifically shown in detail in Figure 10.

As shown in Figures '7 and 8, a second prong member I9 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured, as at 20, to and intermediate the ends of central member 6. It will be noted that prong I9 is pointed, as at 2|, and is bent inwardly, as at 22,

and is in every respect similar to prong l4, except that it is relatively nearer the edges I8 of prongs l1, and, further, except that it extends 'from central member 6 in a relatively opposite direction. It will further be noted that the edges I8 of prongs I! are reversible as to either of the foreshanks of the carcass and may be used interchangeably with either of the prongs l4 or IS.

The purpose of prongs I4 and I9 is to care for the differences in the carcass sizes with which this embodiment of the-invention may be used. In Figure 11 the hook member is shown asapplied to a carcass of relatively large size in which the pron-g member M is used in combination with prong members Hi. In Figure 12 the hook member i2 is shown applied to a carcass of relatively smaller size in which prong member [9 is used in combination with prong member l1.

In practice, the hook members of the present invention are preferably applied to the freshly killed carcass, while still in a warm condition, and are left remaining in position until rigor mortis or chilling of the carcass has been completed. After completion of rigor mortis or chilling of the treated carcass, the hook member may be removed, it being found that the neck and foreshanks will rigidly remain in placed position without its aid.

It is further found that the bone positions and muscular formations secured by the method of the present invention provide improved forequarter cuts having a more plump and stockier appearance. This conditionis due, in part, to the spreading of the foreshanks relative to the prongs m or H, and, in part, to the relative retraction of the neck'and foreshanks.

It will be seen that the neck and foreshanks of carcasses treated according to the present invention, are suitably aligned relative to the body and brisket of the carcass, and thus areespecially adapted for bagging for shipment to remote points, it being found that smaller, more tight fitting bags may be used and that danger of pu'nc- 7 turing the bags by the protruding foreshanks is greatly minimized.

I claim: r

1. The method of treating animal carcasses which comprises securing the neck and foreshanks in a relatively retracted position 2. The method of treating animal carcasses which comprises securing the neck and foreshanks in a relatively retracted position until completion of rigor mortis.

3. The method of treating animal carcasses which comprises laterally spreading the foreshanks and securing the neck and spread foreshanks in relatively retracted position.

'4. The method of treating'animal carcasses which comprises laterally spreading the foreshanks and securing the neck and spread foreshanks in relatively retracted position until completion of rigor mortis.

LEON L. CADWELL. 

